Since the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway on July 1, visitors to Lhasa have increased to as many as 5,000 per day. To offset the effects of the dramatic increase in travelers and protect its cultural heritage, Potala Palace has restricted visitors to 2,300 daily. The Government's policy had originally set the number at 1800 but this number has been raised to 2300, an increase of 500 people per day.

The 2,300 tickets as follows: 1,300 are assigned to tourist groups and 1,000 to individual travelers. Visitors traveling to Tibet may miss visiting of Potala Palace however travel agencies have no control over the situation as the policy is tightly administered by the Government.

Those fortunate enough to obtain a ticket will have to compete with the crowds swarming to this popular tourist attraction.